Elemental sulfur-acrylic emulsion

Abstract

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of sulfur polymerization including preparing a monomer solution. The monomer solution includes sulfur, at least one monomer selected from a vinyl-monomer group including styrene, n-butyl methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof, one or more surfactants. The method includes preparing a reaction solution. The reaction solution includes water, combining the monomer solution with the reaction solution, agitating the reaction solution and the monomer solution, adding a free radical initiator, and increasing a reaction temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of sulfur polymerization comprising:
 preparing a monomer solution, the monomer solution comprising:
 sulfur; 
 at least one monomer selected from a vinyl-monomer group comprising styrene, n-butyl methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof; 
 one or more surfactants; and 
   preparing a reaction solution, the reaction solution comprising water;   combining the monomer solution with the reaction solution;   agitating the reaction solution and the monomer solution;   adding a free radical initiator; and   increasing a reaction temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sulfur is present in an amount of 1 wt % to 10 wt % based on the dry weight of the at least one monomer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first surfactants comprise one or more of an anionic and nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more surfactants comprise at least sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction solution further comprises a nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein preparing the monomer solution further comprises stirring the monomer solution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a minimum stir rate of 500 rpm was maintained throughout the method. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein combining the monomer solution with the reaction solution further comprises controlling a feed rate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method of sulfur polymerization is accomplished within a single reaction vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method of sulfur polymerization is accomplished in a single reaction stage. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vinyl monomer comprises styrene, n-butyl methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and acrylic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the free radical initiator comprises potassium persulphate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein raising the reaction temperature comprises raising the temperature between 150-200° C. 
     
     
         15 . A polymeric composition comprising:
 sulfur; and   at least one emulsion monomer selected from a group comprising styrene, n-butyl methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof,   wherein the sulfur is dispersed in a core-shell structure of the at least one emulsion monomer.   
     
     
         16 . The polymeric composition of  claim 15 , wherein the monomer comprises a mixture of styrene, n-butyl methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and acrylic acid. 
     
     
         17 . The polymeric composition of  claim 15 , wherein the sulfur present is about 1 wt % to 10 wt % based on the dry weight of the at least one emulsion monomer.